Acrylic Leaf Backgrounds

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Yesterday I shared our experience in making acrylic leaf prints with my 6 1/2 yr old with leaves from our garden. The art supplies were out and there was already a mess of acrylic paint to clean up... so I made some ATC backgrounds! After cutting watercolor paper to ATC size (2.5" x 3.5"), I pressed some painted leaves onto the paper, and then with a fairly dry brayer, I rolled Speedball thick-bodied acrylics on top of the leaves. You can roll the brayer along a sheet of newspaper to get a rough line, and go in different directions. The rough look comes from the brayer having very little paint.

Here's a fun hint: When you are making art journal backgrounds whip up quick ATC backgrounds with the same materials and set them aside, then add a quote or collage when you wish.